A bit disappointing, but exhos don't count for much as far as I'm concerned and I saw this as just being a practice match for Murray. His performance was certainly erratic (maybe partly due to jet-lag?), whereas Tipsarevic was the more solid player and deserved his win, but hopefully this match will enable Murray to get any kinks out of his game when he plays in Brisbane. Also it's now been reported that he's playing an exho with Emerati players on Saturday, whatever that involves, but at least it's more practice, albeit not at the top level.

I feel Andy should aim on being more consistent. That is one thing he should work on. Other than that, I was quite happy way he played. Yes, there were a few unnecessary errors here and there but that will not happen during any important match. I am just waiting for the AO to start, that is where he will be at his best.

I was so disappointed that he lost the match to Tipsy. Seeing that he had been working so hard in Miami. I think he needs to go out to win all his matches whether they are exho's or the real thing. Losing to these guys just makes them less afraid of him. Just proves that practice does not make one match tough, matches do.....so come on Andy, show them what you got!!

A bit disappointing, but exhos don't count for much as far as I'm concerned and I saw this as just being a practice match for Murray. His performance was certainly erratic (maybe partly due to jet-lag?), whereas Tipsarevic was the more solid player and deserved his win, but hopefully this match will enable Murray to get any kinks out of his game when he plays in Brisbane. Also it's now been reported that he's playing an exho with Emerati players on Saturday, whatever that involves, but at least it's more practice, albeit not at the top level.

Where is he playing this Aileen? If it's in the Emirates, as this implies, not sure it's a good idea to delay his arrival in Oz even if it does mean another practice match. And I see elsewhere that it is. I guess Andy knows what he's doing but seems like an odd decision unless it was in his contract perhaps?Nole looks in frighteningly good condition - blew Ferrer off the court just now

I was so disappointed that he lost the match to Tipsy. Seeing that he had been working so hard in Miami. I think he needs to go out to win all his matches whether they are exho's or the real thing. Losing to these guys just makes them less afraid of him. Just proves that practice does not make one match tough, matches do.....so come on Andy, show them what you got!!

I couldnt agree more and just cant understand people saying exo's dont mean anything. If he'd won the match and/or the tournament, would it be insignificant then?

Djokovic's win today proves he's trying to win every match he can, even with his multiple slam titles, but I dont think its possible to compare their mentality and approach of these two guys. Andy does not have the consistency Djokovic has, not yet. Djoko just oozing with self confidence, which (I think) make him a more formidable opponent.

Where is he playing this Aileen? If it's in the Emirates, as this implies, not sure it's a good idea to delay his arrival in Oz even if it does mean another practice match. And I see elsewhere that it is. I guess Andy knows what he's doing but seems like an odd decision unless it was in his contract perhaps?

From a blog by Judy Murray on 27 Dec (posted on the Tipsarevic thread) -

This is an exo event - 6 stars, 3 days, 1 champ - that's what it's billed as! Rafa pulled out yesterday and was replaced rapido by Nico Almagro. So the line up is : Djoko, Andy, Tipsy, The Berd, Almagro and The Little Beast. Each of the players is paid a fee for taking part and is also expected to perform a number of duties for the tourney and the sponsors. So after practice on the stadium court with Dani and a Thai junior hitting partner, Andy had to do a press conference, then back to the hotel for a photo shoot at the marina with Djoko. Quite a busy day when you're jet lagged. Miami-London-Glasgow-Dubai in 3 days!

Andy also practised with the Birdman yesterday and today is due to play an Emirate player whose name escapes me.

What I don't understand is why he didn't give himself more time by returning to London sooner, and thereby minimising the jet-lag, unless there was a good reason why he didn't. I'm not too happy about him turning up at Brisbane even more zonked by the extra 6 hour jet-lag and a 15 hour flight to boot, because he won't have much time to acclimatise there. I think somebody said he'd get a bye in R1. The draw isn't up yet but it was due to take place in Brisbane this morning (their time).

I couldnt agree more and just cant understand people saying exo's dont mean anything. If he'd won the match and/or the tournament, would it be insignificant then?

It wouldn't have made any difference to my view of exos. To me they prove nothing and the matches are at best practice ones since it must be difficult for most players to be motivated in a tournament that offers no reward other than money, and Andy's record in exos is not good, which proves my point.

Perhaps it came with his sponsorship by Rado so he was committed to playing but didn't want to cut short his preparation in Miami or miss a rare (part of) Christmas at home.

I do think that Rado, who were one of the main sponsors of this tournament, may well have requested that he play.

I can certainly understand him wanting to spend some of Christmas at home for the first time in four years but would leaving Miami a few days earlier have disrupted his training that much? I'd have thought a few days rest would be more valuable in the circumstances. However we weren't there so we don't know what might have been going on between him and Lendl.

I can certainly understand him wanting to spend some of Christmas at home for the first time in four years but would leaving Miami a few days earlier have disrupted his training that much? I'd have thought a few days rest would be more valuable in the circumstances. However we weren't there so we don't know what might have been going on between him and Lendl.

I think that Andy might have started his preseason training camp a week or so earlier this year compared to previous years so he has finished it a week earlier.

I didn't watch the final but see that Djoko beat Almagro 6-7 (4/7), 6-3, 6-4, after getting over what was described in one report as 'a listless start'.

I watched the final. Almagro played a blinder and did himself proud. It could have gone either way at 4 - 4 in the 3rd set. Almagro just couldnt close the point when he had AD. He had Djoko on the ropes a couple of times with amazing shot placement and his forehand cross court was wicked. Would have been nice to see the underdog win. At any rate he/they gave the crowds a real treat and it was high quality stuff.

I was very impressed with Almagro, and we'd better watch out for him in the coming months.

I watched the final. Almagro played a blinder and did himself proud. It could have gone either way at 4 - 4 in the 3rd set. Almagro just couldnt close the point when he had AD. He had Djoko on the ropes a couple of times with amazing shot placement and his forehand cross court was wicked. Would have been nice to see the underdog win. At any rate he/they gave the crowds a real treat and it was high quality stuff.

I was very impressed with Almagro, and we'd better watch out for him in the coming months.

Thanks for the info Linda. I'm glad the spectators got their money's-worth in the final and I'm really pleased that Almagro played so well after having such a disappointing loss in the crucial rubber of the Davis Cup. He's only 27, so still time to get up there with the top players.

I too watched - or half watched - and was impressed by Almagro. It's amazing how a player can play so differently one day to the next. In his first match Nole played like a dream; yesterday he was piling up the ues and yes looked listless for much of the time.